Golf ball positioning device

ABSTRACT

The golf ball positioner has a fork assembly attached to the end of a shaft such that the fork assembly may be pushed over, around and under a golf ball without a golfer having to bend over. This is particularly useful on golf driving ranges where a golfer must continually bend over to retrieve and place a ball on a golf tee. The fork assembly has one or more fork elements that include a pair of generally semicircular fingers oriented orthogonal to the shaft. A spring is attached in the fingers to engage and be deformed by a golf ball as the fork element is pushed over it. The force of the spring then serves to retain the ball on the fingers. The ball may then be placed on a golf tee and the fork element slid out from under the ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to devices used to retrieve golf balls from the ground or a container and to place a golf ball on a tee. The new device has a fork assembly attached to the end of a shaft. A curved fork element may be pushed over and retain a golf ball.

[0002] There are a variety of devices for use in retrieving and/or placing golf balls on a golf tee. The existing devices generally tend to have resilient deformable fingers or arms shaped to be pushed over a golf ball for retrieving the ball. For these devices of which U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,174 is an example the golf ball must be pulled from the griping element and then placed on the golf tee.

[0003] Other devices for handling golf balls include a variety of devices that are more complicated in that the fingers or arms of the retrieving device may be manipulated. Usually these type of devices include griping fingers controlled by a mechanism that allows the fingers to be closed around a golf ball by the user and then retracted to deposit the ball on a golf tee. Such devices are complicated and expensive to manufacture. They are also susceptible to malfunction and damage.

[0004] Yet another design for retrieving golf balls involves a forked element on the end of a shaft. The forked element is generally orthogonal to the shaft and the forks are rigid and designed to allow sliding under a golf ball for purposes of retrieval. This type of device is difficult to use, as the golf ball tends to roll away when the forks contact it. Therefore, under less than ideal conditions in the area where the ball rests, it may not be possible to retrieve a ball.

[0005] Generally, golf ball retrieving and positioning devices are not self standing. They must be placed against a support to avoid the user having to bend over to grasp and use them. Some devices may have an associated stand on which to rest the device, but this is not a self contained feature. Other devices may incorporate support legs that may be deployed to support the device in an approximate upright position. The instant invention may stand upright on a level flat surface without the need for ancillary support.

[0006] As can be seen, there is a need for a simple, easy to use golf ball positioning device that may also be used to place the ball on the golf tee without the need to be continually bending over. The golf ball positioning device may also stand upright for ease in grasping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One object of the present invention is ease of retrieval of a golf ball from the ground, a container or other location and placement of the ball on a golf tee or other position for hitting the ball. Another object of the invention is reduction of the need for a golfer to bend over to handle golf balls when practicing golf swings at a driving range. A further object of the invention is ease of manufacture of a golf ball positioning device. Yet another object is improved stability of a golf ball positioning device to remain in an upright position on a generally level, flat surface on which the fork assembly may be placed.

[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective elevation view of the golf ball retriever according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of the fork element according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0011]FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of the fork assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The following detailed description is the best currently contemplated modes for carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

[0013] The golf ball positioner 10 may involve a shaft or tubular member with a fork assembly attached at one end. There may be curved fork elements as part of the assembly that may allow pushing the assembly over and around one or more golf balls for retention thereof. The ball may then be placed on a golf tee and the curved fork element slid out from under the ball. When not in use the golf ball positioner may be placed in an upright position resting on its fork assembly.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1 through 3, a golf ball positioner 10 may have a fork assembly 20 attached at the end of a shaft 12 with shaft mount sleeve 40. One or more curved fork elements 30 may be attached to the shaft mount sleeve 40. The fork elements 30 may be attached by welding or other fastening methods, or the sleeve 40 and fork elements 30 may be fabricated as a unit. While three fork elements 30 are illustrated other combinations such as one or two may also be used.

[0015] The fork elements 30 are illustrated using circular fingers 32 with opening 34 therebetween at ends 36. The use of a fork configuration may allow retaining a golf ball 18 on a fork element 30, placing the ball 18 on a golf tee 19 and sliding the fork element 30 out from under the ball 18 and around the tee 19. If it were only desired to retrieve golf balls 18, a closed ring (not shown) without opening 34 might be used as the golfer may simply lift the ball 18 resting on such a ring element. Other forms of fork elements 30 may also be used as for example a generally hexagonal shape having an opening. The criteria for fork element shapes being that the fork element fit around a golf ball as it is pushed over the golf ball and that it retain the golf ball.

[0016] The fork element 30 may also have a spring 24, such as a coil spring, attached adjacent to the sleeve portion 38 of a fork element 30. Spring tabs 26 may be fastened to the fingers 32 and have an aperture 33 formed therein. The spring 24 may then be attached at each end to the spring tabs 26 by a hook 28 inserted through the aperture 33. As the fork element 30 is pushed over a golf ball 18 the spring 24 may deform as illustrated in FIG. 2 to allow the fork element 30 to pass over and around the ball 18. The result may be that the fork element 30 is positioned under the ball 18 and the spring 24 force may retain the ball 18 on the fingers 32.

[0017] Other configurations of fork element fingers 32 and spring 24 may be used. Examples may be the use of a spring 24 in each finger 32 with or without an aperture as well as other types of springs and placement locations such as fastening a spring to a finger using screws or welding. Also, the fingers 32 may be formed of material that may be resiliently deformable. For such a structure springs 24 may not be necessary. Rather, the fork element 30 may be pushed over the golf ball 18 such that there may be some compression of the ball 18 at its circumference or the fingers 32 may flex outwardly on contact with the ball 18 approximate maximum diameter, or both effects may occur.

[0018] The size, weight and shape of the fork assembly 20 may be sufficient to facilitate the golf ball positioner 10 remaining in an upright position when placed on a generally level flat surface. The fork assembly 20 may have a flat fork assembly bottom surface 42. When a user places the fork assembly 20 on a surface with the shaft 12 upstanding therefrom, the golf ball positioner 10 may remain in such position without the need for ancillary support elements.

[0019] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to the illustrated and preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A device for positioning golf balls comprising: a fork assembly attached at the approximate end of a shaft; a fork element of said fork assembly approximately orthogonal to said shaft; said fork assembly having a resilient means in cooperation with said fork element facilitating pushing said fork element around and under a golf ball.
 2. The device as in claim 1 wherein said resilient means is said fork element having a pair of fingers resiliently deformable.
 3. The device as in claim 1 wherein said resilient means is said fork element having a plurality of spring tabs having an aperture formed therein with a spring fastened therein.
 4. The device as in claim 3 wherein said spring is a coil spring.
 5. The device as in claim 3 wherein said spring tabs are formed in a sleeve portion of said fork element.
 6. The device as in claim 1 wherein said fork element having a pair of generally semicircular fingers.
 7. The device as in claim 1 wherein said shaft remains in an approximate upstanding position when said fork assembly bottom surface is placed on a generally level, flat surface.
 8. A device for positioning golf balls comprising: a fork assembly attached at the approximate end of a shaft; a fork element of said fork assembly positioned approximately orthogonal to said shaft; and a spring attached to a finger of said fork element.
 9. The device as in claim 8 wherein each finger of said fork element having a plurality of spring tabs having an aperture formed therein with a spring fastened therein.
 10. The device as in claim 9 wherein said spring is a coil spring.
 11. The device as in claim 10 wherein said coil spring is fastened at each end by a hook inserted in said aperture.
 12. The device as in claim 9 wherein said spring tabs are formed in a sleeve portion of said fork element.
 13. The device as in claim 8 wherein said finger is generally semicircular.
 14. The device as in claim 8 wherein said shaft remains in an approximate upstanding position when said fork assembly bottom surface is placed on a generally level, flat surface.
 15. A device for positioning golf balls comprising: a fork assembly attached at the approximate end of a shaft; a fork element of said fork assembly positioned approximately orthogonal to said shaft and having a pair of generally semicircular fingers; each finger having a plurality of spring tabs having an aperture formed therein attached at a sleeve portion of said fork element; and a spring fastened to said spring tabs oriented to be engageable with and to deform when said fork element is pushed around and under a golf ball.
 16. The device as in claim 15 wherein said spring is a coil spring.
 17. The device as in claim 15 wherein said shaft remains in an approximate upstanding position when said fork assembly bottom surface is placed on a generally level, flat surface.
 18. A device for positioning a golf ball comprising: a circular assembly attached at the approximate end of a shaft; a generally circular element of said circular assembly positioned approximately orthogonal to said shaft and having a plurality of spring tabs having apertures formed therein; and a spring fastened to said spring tabs oriented to be engageable with and to deform when said circular element is pushed around and under a golf ball.
 19. The device as in claim 18 wherein said spring is a coil spring.
 20. The device as in claim 18 wherein said shaft remains in an approximate upstanding position when said fork assembly bottom surface is placed on a generally level, flat surface. 